Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center stands as a symbol of resilience and innovation in the fight against cancer Page 4
On this enchanting 9-day cruise from Charleston to Amelia Island, experience the charm and hospitality of the South. In the comfort of our modern fleet, travel to some of the most beautiful historic cities in America. The fascinating sites you visit, the warm people you meet, and the delectable cuisine you taste, come together for an unforgettable journey.
Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly
January 2025 • Volume 72, No. 1
CEO Michael Shepard
SENIOR VP OF CONTENT Leon Espinoza
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Chasity Anderson, CCC
DEPUTY EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Noble Sprayberry
SENIOR EDITOR Jennifer Paton, CCC
ASSISTANT EDITORS Victoria Hampton, CCC; David Herder, CCC
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Valeri Pearon, Nina Todea
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCTION SR. MANAGER
Elizabeth Beatty
SENIOR PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR
Alyssa McDougle
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As the new year unfolds, it brings with it the promise of fresh starts and new opportunities. Many of us take this time to reflect on the past year and set resolutions for the months ahead.
Whether it’s pursuing personal growth, building stronger relationships or contributing to our communities, this annual reset reminds us change is always possible. I hope that in this season of renewal, you find the strength and courage to achieve your resolutions and embrace the potential for transformation in your own life.
Yet, alongside the optimism, we must also acknowledge the importance of facing life’s more difficult truths. Sometimes, the stories that break our hearts are the ones that teach us the most. They remind us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope to overcome even the darkest of circumstances.
One such story is that of Jane, a survivor of human trafficking, whose journey exemplifies courage, determination and the profound impact of community support.
Jane’s story, as told by our very own awardwinning writer Victoria Hampton, is a sobering reminder that trafficking often doesn’t look like the stereotypes we might imagine. It’s not confined to far-off cities or shadowy strangers. It
can occur in the homes and neighborhoods we think we know best.
Despite the horrors she faced, Jane’s journey didn’t end in despair. Her eventual escape and recovery were made possible by the tireless efforts of local advocacy groups and community task forces that refused to let her story go unheard. Today, she works to support other survivors, channeling her experiences into advocacy and care. Her resilience and resolve serve as a beacon of hope for countless others who face similar struggles. Read more on Page 10.
As we step into this new year, let us take inspiration from Jane’s journey and the work of those who supported her. Consider how you might contribute to change in your own community. Whether it’s volunteering, donating time, supplies or money, or simply raising awareness, every effort matters. The new year is a time for hope, resolve and action. Together, we can create a world where every individual has the opportunity to rewrite their story and dream of brighter days ahead.
Thank you for the wonderful story ideas many of you submitted in the past month. I’m still following up on many of them. Have additional thoughts about a story we should share? Reach me at editor@pioneer.coop.
Happy New Year!
Chasity Anderson Editorial Director
For supplemental and interactive content, search @Ruralite on your favorite social media sites.
a
Community task forces create first lines of defense against human trafficiking in rural communities Spotlight, Page 10
Page 16
Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center stands as a symbol of resilience and innovation in the fight against cancer
By Emily McLaughlin
Since its opening in 1994, Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center has transformed from a single-service radiation facility into a
comprehensive oncology hub. Combining cutting-edge treatments with compassionate support, the center encompasses a holistic approach to cancer care.
For many, the cancer journey begins
with a moment of disbelief.
“You know the scenes in the movies, where the rain is falling down hard and the music cuts to white noise?” asks Madison Rosenbaum, a cancer center patient who was diagnosed with Stage IIIA breast cancer at 29. “That was my experience, literally. I received the call in my car on a rainy Monday afternoon. That day still haunts me.”
To volunteer your time, donate to Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center or learn about upcoming fundraisers visit: foundation.providence.org/wa/tricities/ home.
Her diagnosis, which later advanced to stage IV with metastasis, initiated a path of intense treatment, including chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and radiation. Through it all, the center’s dedicated team—and the community Madison found with other cancer patients—became a source of unwavering support.
“After almost three years of working through this diagnosis, one thing has not changed: the nurses and other frontline staff continue to have the most impact on my journey,” Madison says. “On the days where I am struggling to find my voice or not sure where to turn to get the answers I need, they are always willing to go to bat for me and go the extra mile to make sure I am taken care of.”
At the heart of the center is its navigation team—a dedicated group of nurses, social workers, dietitians and medical assistants who guide patients through their cancer journeys.
“We believe survivorship begins at diagnosis,” says Elle Zilar, a registered nurse. “By addressing both physical and emotional needs, navigators improve patients’ overall quality of life while reducing anxiety and stress.”
Navigators ensure no one faces the complexities of cancer alone. To do so, they take steps such as streamlining appointments and connecting patients with resources such as financial aid and transportation.
The center’s innovative treatments, including precision medicine and targeted therapies, offer personalized care that seeks to minimize side effects while maximizing outcome.
“I found exactly what I need at the TriCities Cancer Center,” says Jessie Ashby,
The TCCC Foundation at their “Know Your Lemons” event, where participants learned about breast cancer signs and symptoms. PHOTO COURTESY OF
a breast cancer survivor. “I found solace, compassion, strength and literal earthly angels to lift me up when I felt like I had no control over a single thing in my life.”
Jessie completed six rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, 28 rounds of radiation and a full year of targeted therapy infusions to save her life. She decided to pay it forward.
“I landed a job at the cancer center as an infusion nurse,” Jessie says. “Supporting others on one of the hardest journeys of their life has been such a gift to me.”
Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center’s reputation for excellence is bolstered by five national accreditations, including the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative and the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s Accreditation Program for Excellence. The TCCC facility is Washington state’s first center to earn the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer.
“How amazing is it to have worldclass cancer care here in our backyard?” Madison asks. “I feel so lucky that I am a 10-minute drive from receiving care.”
As the only not-for-profit cancer center in the Tri-Cities, TCCC reinvests directly into patient care.
“To expand access to comprehensive, holistic care, we rely on the generous support of our community,” says Jessica Lukson, a registered nurse with a
bachelor’s of science in nursing, and also administrative director. “Their contributions enable us to offer services that enhance the patient experience.”
The TCCC Foundation funds essential programs and services that might otherwise be inaccessible. From comfort bags to financial assistance, the foundation ensures that no one fights cancer alone.
“It is incredibly thoughtful how much effort goes into creating offerings for patients,” Madison says. “From a medical support standpoint, I am a huge user of their triage patient line which can connect me with a nurse when I am in need of urgent support or medical advice.”
Community contributions have also powered initiatives such as low-cost cancer screenings and the construction of facilities like the Resource Center and Serenity Garden.
For thousands, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center has been a lifeline, offering treatment, compassion and community. With the generosity of donors and the dedication of caregivers, it will continue to illuminate the path to recovery.
“Having a cancer diagnosis sucks,” Madison says. “Receiving care at the Cancer Center does not.” n
To follow Madison’s cancer journey and read about other survivors, visit www.madisonhatescancer.com
Benton REA is proud to unveil its 2025 Policy Priorities, an ambitious agenda designed to address the evolving energy needs of our members while staying true to the core values enshrined in the 7 Cooperative Principles. By focusing on reliability and affordability, Benton REA’s priorities ensure that members remain at the core of everything we do.
1. Ensuring Resource Adequacy for Washington’s Energy Future: Washington’s energy landscape is transforming, and Benton REA is committed to ensuring that this transition supports both reliability and growth. Policymakers must prioritize firm, carbon-free baseload power and expedite the development of new energy resources to meet rising demand. This initiative reflects our commitment to Concern for Community by safeguarding public safety and economic stability.
2. Addressing Wildfire Liability and Insurance Challenges: Wildfires present increasing risks to utilities and their members. Benton REA’s advocacy for stabilized insurance markets, liability protections, and funding for fireresistant infrastructure is driven by our deep Concern for Community and dedication to sustainable development. These measures will help ensure the resilience of our grid while protecting members from unnecessary costs.
3. Combating Regulatory Overreach: Excessive regulatory burdens can strain resources and hinder progress. Benton REA seeks streamlined processes that balance oversight with efficiency, enabling cooperatives to direct resources toward
infrastructure improvements and enhanced member services. This effort exemplifies the principles of Autonomy and Independence and Democratic Member Control, ensuring that decisions are made with members’ best interests in mind.
1. Streamlined Permitting for Reliable Energy Infrastructure: Benton REA supports modernizing federal permitting processes to accelerate critical energy projects. Simplifying applications for Rural Utilities Service loans and vegetation management permits aligns with our principle of Cooperation Among Cooperatives, as we work collaboratively to overcome shared challenges.
2. Prioritizing Reliability and Affordability in National Energy Policy: To maintain affordability and reliability amid growing electricity demand, Benton REA advocates for diverse fuel sources, reformed permitting, and the preservation of natural gas as a complementary energy source. These actions align with our principle of Members’ Economic Participation, ensuring cost-effective energy solutions for all members.
3. Protecting the Lower Snake River Dams (LSRD): The LSRD’s contributions to carbon-free energy, regional stability, and environmental stewardship cannot be overstated. Benton REA is dedicated to safeguarding this vital infrastructure to uphold the principles of Concern for Community and Sustainable Development, ensuring a cleaner, stronger future for our region.
Guided by the 7 Cooperative Principles
Benton REA’s 2025 Policy Priorities are more than just a legislative roadmap; they are a reflection of our cooperative identity. By adhering to the 7 Cooperative Principles, Benton REA continues to champion values that foster inclusivity, democratic participation, and innovation:
1. Voluntary and Open Membership: Advocating for equitable energy policies that benefit all members.
2. Democratic Member Control: Ensuring members’ voices shape our legislative efforts.
3. Members’ Economic Participation: Prioritizing cost-effective solutions for the benefit of our members.
4. Autonomy and Independence: Upholding cooperative values in every partnership and policy.
5. Education, Training, and Information: Informing policymakers and members about critical energy issues.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives: Collaborating with other cooperatives to strengthen the sector.
7. Concern for Community: Advocating for policies that enhance
As Benton REA members, your participation is vital. Together, we can advocate for policies that ensure a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future. Let’s work collectively to strengthen our communities and champion the cooperative way.
To learn more about Benton REA’s 2025 Policy Priorities, contact our Director of Energy Policy at jlozano@bentonrea.org. Together, we power the future!
Ron Ingram: June
Ron Ingram’s photo captures a vibrant canola field in full bloom in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, with the bright yellow flowers stretching across the hillside beneath an overcast sky.
When Ron learned his photo had been chosen, he was thrilled to have one of the thousands of outdoor shots he’s taken over the years gain attention. He took the winning image while on his way to hike the Blue Mountains. While driving, Ron spotted the field of canola. Feeling inspired, he pulled over, rolled down his window, and snapped the photo. Later, during his hike, Ron encountered a snowstorm and had to seek shelter behind a pine tree as he was pummeled by the wind and snow.
Ron’s passion for photography was sparked by his son, who uses a professional camera, while Ron himself captured this image with just his cellphone. He always carries his phone with him while hunting, fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing.
Ron’s advice to aspiring photographers is simple: “Keep your eyes open for photo opportunities. You just never know what will come of it.”
Glenn Edgemon’s image captures unpicked apples in an orchard south of Candy Mountain. The vibrant red apples stand out against the blanket of white snow and overcast sky.
Glenn was thrilled to have his work featured. For this contest, he wanted to capture something unusual and beautiful, representing the unique charm of Eastern Washington. Glenn is often on the lookout for moments that are fleeting or rare, and he had been eyeing the orchard for weeks as fall transitioned into winter. When the first snow arrived, the contrast between the bright red apples and the snowy landscape caught his attention. He composed the shot to guide the viewer’s eye down the rows of trees.
Being selected for the calendar was a significant milestone for Glenn, who has been a photography hobbyist for many years. This was the first public contest where his work has been chosen. His father has been his biggest influence and supporter, and local Tri-Cities photographer John Clement has also played a significant role in shaping Glenn’s approach to photography.
Glenn’s advice for other photographers: “Don’t worry about your gear; work with what you’ve got and focus on learning composition.”
If you’re interested in submitting a photo for the 2026 calendar, the contest will open for submissions in the spring. Keep your camera ready—your next photo could be featured!
X Members may pick up a free calendar at either of Benton REA’s offices in West Richland or Prosser, while supplies last.
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By Victoria Hampton
As a child, Jane was an explorer. While the wind whipped through her brown hair and the sun beat down on her family’s rural central California ranch, Jane and her brothers created imaginary worlds. Goats and chickens acted as companions on their quests, and trees and forts built their magical realms.
Yet even the most elaborate games of make-believe only offered temporary escapes from the cruelties of Jane’s everyday life.
“I was about 6 years old when my cousin started to traffick me for drugs,” says Jane, now 33.
It was not a villain from a faraway city who stole Jane away from her family and forced her into a life of human trafficking. It was Jane’s cousin and grandfather who forced her into illicit acts for her family’s financial gain in the small town where she grew up.
“Looking back on it, it was a very slow process of isolating me and manipulating me and grooming me to the point where I thought that what I was doing was helping my family,” Jane says.
Jane’s experience is similar to millions of victims who are bought and sold for commercial sex and forced labor in the United States. Nonprofits and task forces throughout the Northwest are taking action against this crime to help victims and survivors as well as safeguard their communities. People like Jane are no longer alone in their fight for a better life.
“Human trafficking is one of the fastestgrowing criminal enterprises in the world,” says Amanda Swanson, Oregon Department of Justice’s human trafficking response and intervention coordinator. “Before the pandemic, it had surpassed the gun trade and was projected to surpass the drug trade. Human trafficking, you really can break down to economics 101. If there is demand, somebody is going to supply.”
From her 16 years of experience working hundreds of human trafficking cases in Oregon, Amanda knows the crime is perpetrated by people who victims know, trust and sometimes love.
“The top two most common forms of trafficking are familial trafficking and romantic relationships,” Amanda says. “It’s the family. It’s a partner. It’s a boyfriend or girlfriend. It’s not the person who is going to jump out of the bushes. It’s possibly our neighbor or a family member.”
Familial trafficking is when a trafficker exploits a minor within their own family. Other traffickers exploit their partners or spouses. In both scenarios, perpetrators manipulate their victims and prey on their vulnerabilities. Traffickers offer safety, security and basic needs that may be lacking in someone’s life.
“Most of the time, there is a lot of stuff going on at home, whether it is abuse or neglect from their family,” Jane says. “They feel like they don’t have those basic, fundamental things we all need as humans, like love and acceptance.”
Using a process of force, fraud and coercion, traffickers build up individuals, making them dependent on their abusers. They use this control they’ve gained to force people into illicit acts. By the time this happens, victims have no way out.
“A lot of times people still think, ‘How could somebody get trapped into this?’”
Jeri MooMaw says. “The grooming process is similar to a cult leader. Over time, (traffickers) are cutting off any other avenue of needs fulfillment so (victims) become dependent on them.”
Jeri—a child sex trafficking survivor and executive director of Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative—has worked with clients who live everywhere from gated communities to homeless encampments.
“When you’re being forced to do things that you don’t want to do—besides the physical pain that you go through—I think it is just a really difficult thing to cope with mentally. There was a point where my brain just kind of broke.”
JANE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING SURVIVOR
Human trafficking affects victims from all age groups and walks of life.
Once a trafficker has effectively isolated their victim, they use tactics of fear, shame and helplessness to keep them in the life. For Jane—a child who did not know a lifestyle beyond the one she lived on her family’s isolated ranch—traffickers used fear as their tool to keep her compliant.
“They told me that people could read my mind, and I believed that,” Jane says. “My brothers would be hurt if I didn’t do what they would ask me to do.”
In communities, trafficking happens under the radar.
“Especially in rural communities, (trafficking) doesn’t always look like the way we think it would,” Jane says. “I
wasn’t standing on street corners. I lived at home with my family. Most of my trafficking happened in people’s homes.”
Jane’s abuse continued throughout her childhood while she went to school, played sports and attended church. She seemed like any other child, with a shy and obedient nature.
“One part of me was doing all this terrible stuff, and the other part of me was who I kind of presented to the world,” Jane says. “If you had looked at me, you wouldn’t think, ‘This person is being trafficked.’”
Jane was terrified of what might happen if she opened up to anyone about her abuse. Her cousin—the same one selling her for sex—introduced her to substance abuse to help cope with the
trauma and physical abuse inflicted by her buyers and to make her easier to control.
“When you’re being forced to do things that you don’t want to do—besides the physical pain that you go through—I think it is just a really difficult thing to cope with mentally,” Jane says. “There was a point where my brain just kind of broke. It’s incredibly difficult to process.”
She also started self-harming and attempted suicide multiple times. Jane was connected to a school counselor and saw a therapist. While she was too scared to speak her truth, no one recognized the signs of what was going on behind closed doors.
“Nobody ever asked me why,” Jane says. “I don’t understand why nobody saw the bigger picture.”
To help mitigate this crime in local communities, county task forces are relying on what small towns do best: help one another. County task forces are community-based multidisciplinary teams with the training and skills to identify, respond to, and help victims and survivors of human trafficking.
Each task force is different but often includes employees from the local police department, domestic violence and housing assistance organizations, youth nonprofits, school districts and other county organizations with existing resources to support victims and survivors.
“Our goal is to have them in every county,” says Amanda, who is responsible for building Oregon’s response to sex and labor trafficking.
This effort starts with building awareness and understanding the root causes of trafficking and how it thrives in communities. From there, task forces find the best ways to support victims and survivors by pooling resources and educating their communities about human trafficking and where they can direct suspected victims for help or report a suspected incident.
“One of the goals of the task force is
to build this team of people who know what trafficking is and know how to respond to it so that when a victim or survivor is identified, they know what to do and the other agencies they can reach out to support the person,” says Ashley Johnson, Anti-Trafficking Alliance of Central Oregon task force coordinator and “at:project” coordinator.
If a victim is in a police station, entering foster care, contacting a domestic violence center or sitting in a school counselor’s office, the goal is for the professionals they’re encountering to know how to identify the signs of trafficking and connect them with what they need in the moment.
Starting with meeting basic needs— something to eat and a safe place to rest— may lead to counseling, housing and job support, or prosecution of their trafficker.
Community awareness and collaboration changed Jane’s life.
After escaping her traffickers in her early 20s, Jane eventually found her way to Central Oregon. Even through the trauma and abuse Jane experienced, she didn’t think of herself as a survivor.
“At this point, I still didn’t understand what trafficking was,” Jane says. “I didn’t know that was what had happened to me. I knew it was a lot of abuse and a lot of really
bad things that shouldn’t have happened.”
When she moved to Oregon, Jane was in an abusive relationship and struggling with her mental health. While working in a hospital, she suffered from a concussion after hitting her head on a piece of equipment. During her medical examination, the doctor found evidence of multiple concussions Jane had suffered from abuse inflicted by her traffickers and buyers.
Finally, someone asked Jane a question that took down all the walls she’d spent her lifetime building: Why did this happen to you?
“I just broke down and told him everything,” Jane says. “That was the first time I had really opened up about the things I had been through in my life. Up until that point, I was too scared. I told myself I was never going to tell anyone what had happened.”
Thanks to the local advocacy and awareness efforts by the county task force, the doctor knew where to direct Jane to get the help she needed. Jane was connected to at:project, a local nonprofit created by law enforcement and the district attorney’s office employees, service providers and agencies to support survivors of human trafficking in Central Oregon.
The at:project helped Jane gain her
“Getting connected with the at:project was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
JANE
independence and a new outlook on life through therapy, housing assistance and the support of others who understood what she was going through and were there to support her every step of the way.
“Getting connected with the at:project was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Jane says. “I had true, genuine, caring support for the first time in my life, and I feel like that was the turning point for me, and everything just got so much better.”
As a former homeless youth in Lincoln County, Oregon, Lizzie Martinez has firsthand experience of the transformative nature of community support for people experiencing hardship. This inspired Lizzie to dedicate her career to giving back to her community. Lizzie is the Lincoln County Trafficking Intervention Task Force coordinator and works for Children’s Advocacy Center of Lincoln County.
“Just the strength and resilience that I have seen as I’ve walked alongside survivors makes it very motivating to advocate for them in the professional arena and be a voice where they so often don’t have one,” Lizzie says.
Protecting communities from these crimes goes back to where the exploitation of children and adults often starts: vulnerabilities. Lizzie understands everyone has a different capacity to help in their communities, yet there is power in every action taken to raise awareness and support existing programs that help the most vulnerable members of communities.
From small to large, there are ways residents can address vulnerabilities and help safeguard their communities:
• Listen to survivors’ stories at thelifestory.org.
• Donate to a food bank.
• Volunteer at a school as a tutor.
• Donate clothes to youth and adult organizations.
• Research and share internet safety training resources with families. The school district may have resources available.
• Support a domestic violence or housing assistance organization.
• Report any suspected incidents of human trafficking to police.
• Organize a trafficking awareness event, such as a film screening or guest speaker. Contact a county or state antitrafficking agency for training support.
• Volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates or a youth advocacy organization.
• Do not buy or encourage others to buy sex.
• Form a task force with programs and services that can support victims and survivors of human trafficking. It can start with a group of concerned community members meeting at someone’s house and expand from there, which is how the Anti-Trafficking Alliance of Central Oregon was formed.
“Being able to address those vulnerabilities makes such a big difference that people don’t even realize,” Amanda says.
A decade later, Jane is still an explorer, and her reality is a place she no longer has to escape from. She takes her lived experiences and helps victims and survivors as a supervisor at an antitrafficking organization in Central Oregon.
“Something that I’ve realized doing this kind of work is how many people have stories similar to mine,” Jane says.
Jane is working on a degree in social work and plans to apply to a master’s program to continue supporting others and be a voice for change.
“I feel like it is a way of taking some of my power back,” Jane says. “Everything that I am learning right now is helping me feel even more confident and capable in my ability to show up for other people.” n
At her request, Jane’s name was changed and her last name omitted to protect her privacy.
Want to find out more? Listen to Jeri Moomaw, Innovations Human Trafficking Collaborative executive director, speak about holding perpetrators accountable at ruralite.com/giving-a-voice-to-the-silent.
Contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline
This 24-hour, confidential hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and support to get help and stay safe.
If you need assistance, here’s how you can connect:
Call: 888-373-7888
Text: 233733 (BEFREE)
Chat: humantraffickinghotline.org/chat
If you suspect potential situations of sex and labor trafficking in your community, call the hotline or report it to your police department.
By Victoria Hampton
Jennifer Geisler knows that anyone who steps into one of her buses could be a human trafficking victim. As chief operations officer of Sunset Empire Transportation District in Astoria, Oregon, Jennifer and her team rely on their yearly training from TAT—formerly known as Truckers Against Trafficking—and open communication to keep their riders safe and get them the help they need.
In February 2023, Jennifer’s team quickly responded to a situation involving two girls who boarded a bus in Seaside to connect with a person they met online in Portland. Calls to the Seaside transit office came from the dad of one of the girls and local police. Transportation Support Specialist Stephanie Rodriguez reviewed camera footage and contacted Jennifer and supervisor Rick Yelton to confirm the girls were on board. Jennifer, Rick, bus driver Chuck Poellnitz and police worked together to bring the girls home.
Jennifer can’t help but think about what might have happened.
“This could very well have not been a happy ending had we not been able to get involved,” Jennifer says. “That’s why we continue to do training every year, to be able to help save our children and other young people as well as elderly and disabled who are just as much of a victim in this situation. It’s just watching out for each other.”
Jennifer credits TAT’s free training to raising her team’s awareness and ability to help riders in need.
Human trafficking is a crime in which people are bought and sold for forced labor or commercial sex. For more than a decade, TAT has worked alongside the transportation industry to bring awareness to this crime and empower drivers to report incidents they see on the road.
“It makes our drivers consciously aware of these situations, and they have the tools to call and question what’s happening,” Jennifer says.
Kylla Lanier couldn’t have imagined how her family’s life would change when she cracked open a book from her mom. She and her sisters were consumed by a world they didn’t know existed when they read David Batstone’s “Not for Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade and
“I’ll be honest, we were just shocked,” Kylla says. “We didn’t realize slavery still existed.”
It was this awareness that drove the family to create TAT. What started as local advocacy in 2009 grew into a specialized training program focused on drivers who travel the 4.2 million miles of highways in the United States.
“Most truck drivers, if they knew what was going on, they’d do something about it,” Kylla says, TAT’s deputy director and senior director of external affairs.
Today, the organization offers free human trafficking awareness training for transportation employees—such as longhaul truckers, delivery drivers and public transit drivers—along with law enforcement, government agencies, private and public companies, and community members.
“The general population in the United States, they do not understand prostitution,” Kylla says. “Almost every person in prostitution is there against their will. This is a system of exploitation.”
The exploitation of girls, boys, women and men isn’t the sensationalized experience people see in movies, Kylla says. Victims are often trafficked by people they know who rely on psychological manipulation to
trick and threaten them into providing commercial sex or forced labor. It is a crime that happens everywhere.
“It’s happening in every community, whether people want to acknowledge it or not,” Kylla says. “It is important we are aware and make sure our community is safe. It is an everywhere problem, so it is an everyone solution.”
TAT’s free training includes industryfocused, documentary-style videos, corporate and community training resources, printable posters and wallet cards, and a mobile app. The training videos bring together survivors’ firsthand accounts and antitrafficking education.
TAT’s survivor-driven education changed Oregon Department of Transportation’s Maureen McNeill’s perspective on her work eight years ago when she attended Kylla’s presentation at a law enforcement conference in Bend. During the presentation, a young human trafficking survivor shared some of her darkest moments and how she carries the weight of those experiences with her every day.
“I sat right across the table from her as she told her story, and it really stuck with me for a long time,” Maureen says. “I said to
TOP: Sunset Empire Transportation District’s employees are trained to identify signs of human trafficking. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUNSET
EMPIRE TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT RIGHT: Kylla Lanier gives a presentation on human trafficking awareness to 300 law enforcement officers at the 2022 Western States Information Network.
COURTESY OF TAT
myself, ‘I need to do something about this.’”
As the backbone of the country’s economy, Maureen knows each truck driver she meets may encounter human trafficking victims and perpetrators. Traffickers use the same extensive road network as truck drivers to transport their victims, including the rural stretch of I-84 Maureen manages from Umatilla to Baker City.
“They are the eyes of the road,” she says. “When they’re stopping in rest areas, truck stops and casino parking lots, they are likely to see something.”
When Maureen was promoted to Blue Mountain regional manager of commerce and compliance, she added human trafficking awareness to trainings she and her team present to trucking businesses and farming operations in Eastern Oregon. She has fliers and wallet cards at weigh stations
for her employees to hand out to drivers.
“Traffickers are on our highways, and they need to stop and use facilities,” Maureen says. “That’s where we’re going to spot them.”
Kylla hears stories of industry professionals across the country who have encountered suspected human trafficking and reported it to local police. Oftentimes, the people who step up to help in these situations never hear the outcome of their efforts. Yet, Kylla knows how much of a difference these actions make from the survivors she works with at TAT.
“When you see survivors thriving— these are creative, strong, smart people that deserve a chance at a better life,” Kylla says. n Bring attention and advocacy to your community with TAT’s free human trafficking awareness resources at tatnonprofit.org.
Acai Bowl With Whole-Wheat Toast
1 100-milligram frozen acai smoothie pack
1 cup low-fat milk
1 medium frozen banana, sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries
2 slices whole-wheat bread
Fresh blueberries
Granola
Coconut flakes
Under warm water, thaw frozen acai smoothie pack about 5 seconds. In a blender, combine acai, milk, banana and mixed berries. Blend until smooth.
Toast bread slices to desired doneness.
Pour acai mixture into bowl and garnish with blueberries, granola and coconut flakes before serving. Serve with toast.
Source: Culinary.net
Chicken
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Zucchini
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1 pound (3 to 4 pieces) small boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil 2 medium zucchini, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
Cauliflower rice
1 pound thawed frozen riced cauliflower
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 tablespoon ground cumin
15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed well
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
11/3 cups halved red grapes
To make the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine oil, garlic, ginger and cumin. Add turmeric, season lightly with salt and pepper, and whisk to blend. Lightly pound chicken pieces to even them out, then coat in oil-spice mixture. Let stand 20 to 30 minutes.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken, smooth side down. Cook until golden brown underneath, about 4 minutes. Flip with spatula, and reduce heat to medium. Cook about 4 minutes until just cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil. Do not clean the pan.
To make the zucchini: In a medium skillet, heat oil on medium-high heat until hot. Add zucchini pieces. Cook, stirring often until crisp and tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
To make cauliflower rice: In a colander, drain cauliflower well. In same large skillet used for chicken, add oil, onion and water over medium heat. Cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes. Add turmeric, garlic, ginger and cumin. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add drained cauliflower and garbanzo beans. Cook until hot, about 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide cauliflower rice among four large soup bowls. Slice chicken against the grain. Arrange on top of cauliflower rice along with grapes and cooked zucchini. Serve warm.
Source: California Table Grape Commission
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup sliced fresh strawberries
¼ cup sliced banana
¼ cup pomegranate juice
3/4 cup dairy whipped topping
1/8 cup fresh blueberries
1 tablespoon raw pepitas
1 teaspoon honey
Set aside a few berries to place on top of finished smoothie. Add banana, remaining raspberries, strawberries and pomegranate juice to blender. Blend until smooth. Add whipped topping, and pulse until blended.
Pour smoothie into a bowl. Artfully arrange reserved berries, blueberries and pumpkin seeds on top. Drizzle with honey. Top with additional whipped topping, if desired.
Source: Ready Set Eat
1 banana, mashed
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup dairy-free milk
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon milled flaxseed
¼ cup natural creamy peanut butter, warmed
The night before, prepare oats by combining the banana, chia seeds, oats, cinnamon, dairy-free milk and water. Stir, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, scoop the mixture into a saucepan over mediumhigh heat. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue stirring frequently until mixture is thick and completely heated. Remove from heat. Stir in flax. Pour oats into bowl, and drizzle with melted peanut butter. Add toppings as desired.
Source: Ready Set Eat
1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon white miso
¼ cup butter
11/2 pounds shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
¼ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup quinoa, cooked
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cucumber, sliced into half moons
5 green onions, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
In a medium bowl, whisk orange juice, hot sauce, honey, soy sauce, vegetable oil, lime juice and miso until combined. Pour one-quarter of liquid into a separate bowl. Set aside. Add shrimp to the remaining mixture, and marinate 15 minutes.
Heat large skillet over medium heat with butter. Add shrimp, salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes on each side until pink. Add mushrooms and cook until tender.
In two serving bowls, divide quinoa, bell pepper, cucumber, onions, avocado and shrimp. Sprinkle sesame seeds and cilantro over both bowls. Drizzle with reserved dressing.
Source: Culinary.net
I would appreciate any scrapbook paper, metal dies, embossing folders, wax seals, glitter, embellishments, embossing ink. Anything that you don’t need anymore in your craft room, I’m willing to pay shipping if needed. Thank you very much.
A Zinni
260 E. Theater Lane Hermiston, OR 97838
Retired “hot rodder” would like old license plates to decorate wall of hobby shop. Will be happy to refund shipping cost. Thank you.
Marty Billich 3580 Parkridge Ave. Pahrump, NV 89048
I have been working on a California king size cover for bed. I would appreciate if anyone has white doilies they would be willing to share. Can be used. I have been working on the cover for 10 years. Thank you in advance.
Kathryn Geiszler 19024 Hwy 42 Myrtle Point, OR 97458
Our family has adopted a spunky senior who is turning 92 in January. She still drives and brings a lot of joy to others. Adelia has experienced much loss and sorrow in her life, but she keeps smiling and is truly an inspiration. It would mean the world to her to receive birthday cards. Please address them to: Adelia Anderson, 3755 N. 4th St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815. Thank you so much.
Karen Kastning Rathdrum, Idaho
My mom turns 100 in early February. She would love to receive greetings and words from the world outside my home. Please send cards to: 61590 Gosney Road, Bend, OR 97702. Thanks in advance.
Anita Elsey Bend, Oregon
I am looking for the words to an old cowboy song that my dad loved. I don’t remember the name, but some of the words are, “I dreamed there would be a great roundup/where cowboys like doggies would stand/to be judged by the (Rider of Justice?)/who is (trained?) and who knows every brand/roll on, roll on, roll on little doggies, roll on.” I would love to have these words, if someone knows them.
Evalyn Finney 11815 N. Boyer Road Sandpoint, ID 83864-8870
I am a lover of hot tea, especially on a cold winter morning. I noticed my tea selection getting rather skimpy and thought it would be fun to ask readers if they might send me a tea bag of a brew that they enjoy. I would be happy to reciprocate. I would very much enjoy the variety. I double checked postage, and it would require one stamp. Thank you so very much.
Harriet Courts
6060 Teal Creek Road Dallas, OR 97338
I have a very nice casserole dish in my possession. It is a large stone one: 9x13. It was left in Antelope, Oregon, about six to eight months ago. If you have a missing dish, please call 541-489-3445 with the brand name. I will be happy to mail it to you.
Elizabeth Samul P.O. Box 37
Antelope, OR 97001
Looking for a recipe for cornbread that was much more moist and sweeter than traditional cornbread. It’s baked in a 9x13 pan, has cheddar cheese, butter and creamed corn.
Elena Nightingale 907 D Ave.
LaGrande, OR 97850
I want to send a huge thank you to all of the amazing people who sent beads, jewelry, other craft items and ideas for our Senior Respite Program. Your generosity is so appreciated and overwhelming.
Diane Whitley Eastsound, Washington
Thank you so very much to all who sent cards and gifts to my mom for her 92nd birthday. She was shocked but very delighted to get mail. Rural people are so awesome.
Laura Crowe Umpqua, Oregon
Send your request (no attachments) to readerexchange@ruralite.org or mail to Reader Exchange, 5625 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite 100, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Fill in the subject line with Reader Exchange.
Acceptance, scheduling and editing are at the editor’s discretion. Single requests only, please. No duplicates. Submissions are handled firstcome, first-served as space allows. We cannot honor every request. Please affirm you have authorization from all appropriate parties before submitting. By submitting, you indemnify Reader Exchange, Pioneer Utility Resources Inc., its officers, directors, employees, utility clients and insurers from all legal liability incurred by the publication of information. We no longer accept pen pal requests. You may submit a pen pal request as a Marketplace ad (pricing applies).
When submitting a milestone request, please send it at least two months before the milestone. Phone numbers are not published. Email addresses are if they are part of the ad, but you must include a postal address.
Requests must include the name and address of the electric utility that provides your magazine.
Jutting into the sky with its layers of rock and fossil, Sheep Rock in Eastern Oregon is home to millions of years of geologic history. One of three parts of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and next to the beautiful Painted Hills, the area is great for history, hiking and marveling at landscapes.
The Sheep Rock Unit of the fossil beds is home to rocks up to 95 million years old, with plant and animal fossils from 7 to 33 million years ago. The unit houses the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, where visitors can see a collection of fossils. The unit also includes seven hiking trails, ranging from a quarter mile to 3.25 miles round trip.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument has two other units. One, the Painted Hills, is famous for its rolling hills with striking stripes in its rock. The colors—best viewed in the afternoon sun—are caused by variations in mineral levels. The third unit, Clarno, is home to pillars of rock formed by volcanic mudslides.
When visiting the John Day Fossil Beds, consider making it a road trip along Oregon’s Journey Through Time Scenic Byway. The byway is nearly 290 miles long, taking visitors from the Columbia River south through the fossil beds, then east through the Blue Mountains before ending in Baker City.
More Information
The John Day Fossil Beds do not require a pass, unlike many National Parks Service sites. To start planning your trip, head online to www.nps.gov/joda or call 541-987-2333.
The best walk-in tub just got better with breakthrough technology! Presenting the all new Safe Step Walk-In Tub featuring MicroSoothe. ® An air system so revolutionary, it oxygenates, softens and exfoliates skin, turning your bath into a spa-like experience. Constructed and built right here in America for safety and durability from the ground up, and with more standard features than any other tub.
✓ Heated seat providing warmth from beginning to end
✓ Carefully engineered hydro-massage jets strategically placed to target sore muscles and joints
✓ High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub
✓ Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, affordable price You’ll agree – there just isn’t a better, more affordable walk-in tub on the market.
By Dave LaBelle
As a newspaper photographer, there were always New Year’s Day photo assignments, such as taking pictures of the first baby of the year.
Like many holidays marked with some sort of celebration, New Year’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate
Renowned author, photographer and lecturer
has captured special moments for more than half a century. For more of his writings, visit davidlabelle.com and bridgesandangels.wordpress.com.
NIKON D810, 180mm lens
ISO 800, f/3.2 at 1/320
As they age, one goal for many people is to keep moving. Gary
walks 15 minutes a day at a local fitness club before doing other strength-training activities. Gary says he has been working out the past five years because his chiropractor told him he needs to keep moving.
time, the beginning of a new calendar year. Most of us make resolutions we hope to keep. You know how it goes. After Jan. 1, gymnasiums are usually filled with eager folks ready to start fulfilling New Year’s health resolutions. The same gyms are half-filled by June.
But photographically, the new year might be a good time to follow a dream you have wanted to pursue.
Thanks to the help of several generous supporters, I plan to finally pursue a photographic dream I have had for many years. I call this dream A Visual Walk with Christ, and I plan to visually
interpret Biblical scenes.
So, whether you travel to the Big Apple to watch the ball drop at Times Square, position yourself in one of the towns or cities that color the
sky with fireworks, or begin a dream project, the calendar change is an opportunity to start the new year with fresh challenges, both personally and photographically. n
Try photographing resolutions in action, such as documenting someone beginning a new workout routine. Challenge yourself to make a photograph of yourself once a month. Photograph someone you love or admire throughout the year, similar to how we made a pencil mark on a doorframe for children to mark their growth. Pick a favorite spot to document over the four seasons. When my third child, Tucker, was born, I photographed him every day of his first year of life. I still draw from those images every year.
Email your best image (just one, please) with caption information, including an explanation of how it affects you, to GPH@pioneer.coop. We may share submissions on our website and social media channels.
Centuries ago, Persians, Tibetans and Mayans considered turquoise a gemstone of the heavens, believing the striking blue stones were sacred pieces of sky. Today, the rarest and most valuable turquoise is found in the American Southwest–– but the future of the blue beauty is unclear.
On a recent trip to Tucson, we spoke with fourth generation turquoise traders who explained that less than five percent of turquoise mined worldwide can be set into jewelry and only about twenty mines in the Southwest supply gem-quality turquoise. Once a thriving industry, many Southwest mines have run dry and are now closed.
We found a limited supply of turquoise from Arizona and purchased it for our Sedona Turquoise Collection . Inspired by the work of those ancient craftsmen and designed to showcase the exceptional blue stone, each stabilized vibrant cabochon features a unique, one-of-a-kind matrix surrounded in Bali metalwork. You could drop over $1,200 on a turquoise pendant, or you could secure 26 carats of genuine Arizona turquoise for just $99.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you aren’t completely happy with your purchase, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
The supply of Arizona turquoise is limited, don’t miss your chance to own the Southwest’s brilliant blue treasure. Call today!
Jewelry Specifications:
• Arizona turquoise • Silver-finished settings
Sedona Turquoise Collection
A. Pendant (26 cts) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200
B. 18" Bali Naga woven sterling silver chain $149 +s&p
C. 1 1/2" Earrings (10 ctw) $299 * $99 +s&p Save $200
Set
**Complete set includes pendant, chain and earrings.
You
As one of the largest purveyors of collectible knives in the country, you can trust Stauer to give you the best knife for your money.
Case in point: The Blades of a Feather Knife –– a remarkable hunting and adventure knife with an even more remarkable price. This is the kind of knife people flock to.
This stick tang knife boasts a stainless steel blade with a scalloped edge that gives it a distinct feathered appearance. This “feathered” edge is more than a striking aesthetic touch; it enhances the knife’s performance by creating air pockets in the spaces. These air pockets prevent shredding and allow for a cleaner, smoother cut. Consider it your edge up.
Recalling the days of the great American frontier, this knife’s artisan handle is crafted of natural bone, redwood and brown Pakkawood. It’s a great addition to your collection, and will prove a trusty companion for all your outdoor adventures from hunting and fishing to camping and hiking. It also makes one heck of a letter opener. Plus, by making the call today, you are guaranteed to receive a genuine leather sheath in the deal.
Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Feel the knife in your hands, wear it on your hip, inspect the impeccable craftsmanship. If you don’t feel like we cut you a fair deal, send it back within 30 days for a complete refund of the item price.
We invite you to join the hundreds of thousands of Stauer knife collectors who appreciate a fine blade along with a fine deal. We assure you, you’ll be in good company. Don’t let this beauty slip through your fingers. Call today!
Knife Speci cations:
Call today and you’ll also receive this genuine leather sheath!
• Stainless steel stick tang blade; 12” overall length
• Natural bone, redwood & brown Pakkawood handle
Blades of a Feather Knife $249 $49* + S&P Save $200 California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product.
*Special price only for customers using the offer code.
1-800-333-2045
Your Insider Offer Code: BFK144-02
Electricity is essential for nearly every aspect of daily life—so essential that we rarely think about how it’s produced and delivered to our homes. Benton REA must be ready to deliver power when you need it. For example, we need to ensure more electricity in the mornings when you’re starting your day, and in the evenings when you’re cooking dinner, running appliances and watching TV. Demand also increases during different weather patterns, such as extremely warm or cold temperatures. Furthermore, as our communities continue to grow, the demand for electricity steadily increases.
Benton REA is committed to providing reliable, affordable electricity to our members. As we look to the future, utilities like Benton REA must adapt and innovate to meet the rapidly changing energy landscape. We’re all connected to the electric grid, so ensuring the right amount of electricity for all involves a complex process of forecasting energy demand, planning for capacity and securing enough supply to meet our growing needs.
In Washington state, electricity demand has surged in recent years, and the trend is only going to accelerate. A report released in May 2024 by the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee predicts electricity demand will grow by more than 30% over the next decade. This represents a significant departure from the historical annual growth rate of 1%-2%. The way utilities currently manage demand is in the process of changing radically.
First, electricity must be generated at a power plant using sources, such as hydropower, nuclear, natural gas, wind or solar. We work closely with Bonneville Power Administration our local wholesale power partner, to purchase enough electricity to power our communities. The power we provide to our members includes a mix of carbon free energy sources.
At Benton REA, 85% of our electricity comes from clean, reliable hydropower, with an additional 11% sourced from nonemitting nuclear power. The remaining 4% is supplied through unspecified market purchases, which includes wind and solar.
As our region’s energy needs grow, we are exploring additional resources to maintain reliability and affordability. Moreover, we
must protect all the resources we currently have to ensure we can continue to power this region’s people and foster economic growth.
As our region’s energy demands increase, we are strategically diversifying our resource portfolio to maintain both reliability and affordability. At the same time, it is crucial to protect our existing resources to ensure we can continue powering the lives of those we serve while driving economic growth across the region.
For Benton REA and other regional utilities, this growth presents both an opportunity and a challenge. We welcome new members and the vibrancy they bring to our communities. New loads bring greater opportunity for our community and the potential for future economic growth. At the same time, we must ensure our energy infrastructure, both the lines that bring the energy to our homes and businesses, as well as the facilities that generate the power, can keep pace with their needs.
Electricity consumption in the U.S. is projected to reach record highs this year and next, with demand expected to more than double by 2050. At the same time, state and federal energy policies are driving the premature retirement of carbon-emitting generation resources, posing significant risks to the reliability of our power supply.
Our mission to deliver reliable power to your homes and businesses is increasingly challenged by well-meaning but misguided efforts by some policymakers to remove vital generating resources from our region—often before replacements are built or reliable alternatives are fully proven.
Driven by misplaced optimism, these individuals assume utilities can maintain uninterrupted power, even as they strip away the essential tools and resources needed to safeguard the grid.
Moving forward, we must make strategic investments in our electric systems to enhance grid capacity, integrate new energy resources, and support the transition to electrification. Overcoming these challenges will require close collaboration with policymakers, industry leaders, and our members. By working together, we can uphold the Northwest public power legacy of delivering reliable, affordable electricity while embracing the opportunities presented by a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
4x5 round bales, Meadow Foxtail Orchard Grass. 4x4 Timothy, small square. nas@cpcinternet.com; 208-435-4637 or 208-435-4002. 1225
Reinforced custom-sized pond liners (39 cents/sqft). Hay covers, greenhouse covers, any width and length. Truck tarps and more. High puncture and tear strength. Best price guaranteed. Celebrating 43 years in business. www.btlliners.com. 541-447-0712. 0425
Buying antiques and collectibles: advertising signs, porcelain signs, gas pumps, beer signs, antique toys, cast-iron coin banks, neon signs and more. Jason, 503-310-3321 or tjabaughman@yahoo.com. 0325
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0225
1997 Eddie Bauer Expedition. 4x4 exceptional condition. New aluminum wheels and tires. 113K miles. No disappointments, leave a message. 541-661-1140.
Not just for Christmas. Idaho author Tova R. Cladouhos sells children’s books on Amazon or by email at tovarae@gmail.com. These books are perfect for elementary-aged children with factual stories based on friendship, affection, protection and farm animal adventures. Tova loves barns, pastures, dogs, cats, sheep and ponds. Her books include, “The Nine Lives of Milo the Cat,” “Saving Lily,” “Little Molly” and “Little Molly’s Secret.” 0125
Business Opportunities
For sale: quaint hardware store in Maupin, OR. Inventory and interior store recently updated and refreshed. See ad on Bizbuysell.com or email Maupincountrystore@gmail.com. $229,999. 0125
For sale: successful Northeast Oregon Drive-In Diner, Union, OR. Owner wishes to retire after 28 years. RMLS #24493530. Walt BrookshireBroker, Oregon Trail Realty, 541-805-8689. $185K. 0125
9th Annual Fiber Arts & Jewelry Exhibit. Feb. 7 - March 29, 2025. Art Center East in LaGrande, OR. Submission deadline: Feb. 1, 2025. artcentereast.org. 0125
Ads 25 words or fewer are $35 a month. An extended ad of up to 35 words is $50 a month. Contact information is included in the word count. Phone numbers and emails count as one word.
Longer ads may be placed. Contact 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop for pricing information.
Ads are for customers of member co-ops, public utility districts and municipals only. Subscribers and nonmembers may inquire about pricing at 503-357-2105 or info@pioneer.coop.
Ads must be direct and in first person, and are subject to approval and editing.
Closing deadlines (in our office): March issue—Jan. 30, 2025.
If submitting ad by mail, send appropriate payment with your name, address, email, phone number and the name of the electric utility that provides your magazine to: Marketplace, P.O. Box 1306, North Plains, OR 97133. Make check or money order payable to Ruralite.
We accept credit card payments for ads submitted by email. Send ad to info@pioneer.coop.
Advertisements are accepted in good faith. Pioneer Utility Resources is not liable for interactions between buyers and sellers.
Fireproof combination lock safe, $300. DR multi trimmer, $300. Kubota tow rototilla, $1.75K. Land pride 4-ft mower, $800. Ted, 458-910-3727. 0225
Free Items
Free materials—church, government uniting, suppressing “religious liberty,” enforcing National Sunday Law. Be informed. Need mailing address only. TBS, P.O. Box 374, Ellijay, GA 30540. tbsmads@yahoo.com; 888-211-1715. 0125AR
Miscellaneous
Foster parents needed to care for teen youth in Wasco and Hood River counties. Agency provides on-call support, training, $2.1K/youth monthly reimbursement, 2 days off/month. Fosterinfo@nextdoorinc.org, 541-308-2207.
Quadra-Fire Santa Fe pellet stove 700-1,000 sqft. Used 2 seasons, cabin, small house, man cave. $1.8K. Starchaser987@yahoo.com; 541-419-7477. 0125
Granite cemetery markers at affordable prices. Will ship to most places. For more info: www.highdesertmemorials.com; Joe, highdesertmemorials@gmail.com or 541-815-8906.
Local commercial fisherman sells summer catch of preserved freshness by blast freezing at sea, gourmet canned tuna on internet. Sept.June. 100% guaranteed the best canned tuna you ever tasted. Original, jalapeno and garlic flavors available. To order: twofisherstuna.com or 206-799-1082. 0225
Male husky. 4 years old. Very gentle. Great with children. 541-875-4172. 0125
Let me help you buy or sell ranch, farm and recreation property in OR. Fourth-generation Oregonian, prior ranch owner. For sale: Klamath Marsh, OR. 173.65 acres. $2.5M. Guest Ranch Overlay. John Gill, 541-480-9161; johngill@landandwildlife.com. Land And Wildlife brokerage. 0125
Beautiful custom home on 15 acres w/ stunning panoramic mountain and valley views. Garage, barn. $599K. Duke Warner Realty, 541-987-2363, ddwr@ortelco.net. 0125
20 acres located east of Montello, NV. Fully livable. Year-round access. Power and water nearby. Comes with equipment and facilities. $35K. geopup58@gmail.com. 0125
3 beautiful 1.01-acre lots in Pahrump, NV, awesome mountain view in nice area. No HOA. $30K each or two for $55K. Easy access to offroading. Horses okay. Also 10-acre lot with water rights and underground utilities. pkcfitness@hotmail.com. 775-209-2830. 0125
Recreational Rentals
Bed and Birds; a guesthouse. Wet meadows, range, forest, dark sky. Beds for 9. Lakeview, OR. Explore or ride? Near ski hill. Reasonable. 541-219-2044. 0125
Bend country cabin. Very clean and fully furnished cabin on private ranch. Close to recreation areas. Very nice. $95/night. 541-382-3050; bendcountrycabins@gmail.com.
Wavecatcher: oceanfront cottage. Central Oregon coast. $175/night (plus cleaning/tax). Open April through Oct. Holds up to 6-plus kids and pets. Wavecatcherbeachrentals.com. Reservations: 541-740-2846. 0125
Recreational Vehicles
Thor Ace model 27.2, 2017 motor home. Excellent condition. 14K miles, 2 slides. Sleeps 6, 2 TVs, always covered. $60K. debutler1947@icloud.com; 541-953-0295. 0225
24ft Sunseeker RV Mercedes. Diesel, 8-ft. slide out with 4-person dinette, sleeps 6. 60K miles, 2016. $48.5K. Ted, 458-910-3727. 0225
Services
Dawn Till Dusk Masonry. Brick, block, stone and pavers. Small jobs and repairs welcome. dawntillduskconstructionmasonry.com. 541-388-7605; 541-410-6945. License #245760 bonded and insured. La Pine, OR. 0225
Historic Windows & Restoration: windows, storm sashes, screen doors for residential buildings. historicwindowsllc.com. 541-714-3460. License #252960. Serving Corvallis, Albany, Eugene, Salem, Portland and surrounding areas. 0125
Private horse ranch in Sisters, OR, offers a spot for your RV living in trade for light horse feeding and cleaning. TK, 541-504-1234. 0125
Old carpenter tools, planes (wood/metal), levels, chisels, slicks, adzes, axes, hatchets, handsaws, old rulers, spoke shaves, wrenches, shipwright tools, old tool chests. 503-659-0009; 971-666-0659.
Gold, silver, coins/currency, buy, sell. Collections wanted. Fair prices paid. 44 years in retail store. Baker City, OR. 800-556-2133; garrymclin@aol.com. 1025
Buying American Indian collectibles, Navajo blankets and rugs, baskets, beadwork, etc. Also, quality paintings of the early Southwest and Americas. Call 760-409-3117 or send photos to amer.ind.baskets@gmail.com. 0225
Cash paid for old gas station and oil company signs, pumps, globes, metal oil cans. Good condition. Discreet cash settlement. Clifton Jones, collector. 512-413-4459. 0225
Buying quality concert posters and handbills from the 1960s and ‘70s. Cash paid for desired items. Eric, 541-520-2794 or ericwedmondson@yahoo.com. 0125
The Benton REA Board of Trustees unanimously approved a motion to redefine district boundaries and increase the number of trustees from eight to nine.
Districts were evaluated and realigned to contain approximately equivalent numbers of members, thereby ensuring equitable representation of all members on the Board of Trustees. The Board made this change to ensure they were in line with industry standards.
Additionally, they voted to increase the number of board members from eight to nine. The additional board district, District
#9, will include the east area of West Richland. The Board made this change to again, ensure equitable representation of all members.
This change opens an opportunity for members residing in District #9 to serve on the Board of Trustees. See page 29 for details.
If you are unsure of the district you reside in, you may contact the member experience department at 509-786-2913 or memberservices@bentonrea.org and they will let you know.
The Benton REA Trustees are responsible for the overall direction of the business and affairs of the coop through the adoption of policies, budgets and providing direction to the CEO. Trustees typically meet at 6 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month unless otherwise scheduled.
Benton REA is governed by trustees who represent a district of members. Trustees serve three-year terms.
Benton REA is seeking candidates to fill open Board of Trustee positions in Districts 4 and 9.
District 4’s trustee, Ron Johnson, retired from his position to spend more time with family.
In December, board voting districts were realigned creating an additional trustee position, District 9. The map on page 28 gives an overview of the new districts.
Members living in Districts 4 or 9, who meet the qualifications, can apply to be a candidate for appointment to the Benton REA board of trustees.
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity or would like additional information, please contact Danielle Barnes at 509-781-6719 or via email at dbarnes@bentonrea.org. Benton REA will provide details about the application process, including required documentation, through February 6, 2025.
All applications for this position must be submitted by February 10, 2025.
Background checks will be performed on all Board of Trustee candidates to assure that they meet the general qualifications to be a Trustee.
District #1: West Richland/Paradise north to Van Giesen Represented by Trustee Dan Plung - Term Expires 2025
District #2: Prosser Area Represented by Trustee Mike Freepons - Term Expires 2025
District #3: Horse Heaven and East Roza Represented by Trustee Bob Evans - Term Expires 2025
District #4: West side of West Richland Vacant Position - Term Expires 2026
District #5: White Pass/Grandview Represented by Trustee Tim Grow - Term Expires 2026
District #6: Mabton south to Patterson Represented by Trustee Scott Fisher - Term Expires 2026
District #7: West Richland, Bird Hill south of Paradise Represented by Trustee Ted Wallace - Term Expires 2027
District #8: Red Mountain and south West Richland Represented by Trustee Bill Shibley - Term Expires 2027
NEW! District #9 - East West Richland
X Have the capacity to enter legally binding contracts.
X Be an individual who receives electrical service from the Association at his or her primary residential abode; which abode must be located in the district represented by such Trustee or Trustee candidate.
X Not be a convicted felon.
X Not be an incumbent elected public official or a candidate for an elective public office in connection with which a salary is paid.
X Not a current or previous employee or agent of either the Association or a subsidiary of the Association.
X Not closer in consanguinity than the third degree or less to an incumbent Trustee or to an employee of either the Association or a subsidiary of the Association.
X Must fulfill any other reasonable qualifications as determined by the Board of Trustees
After recently moving to San Juan Island with her German shepherd, Tanja, Erna Heckele has taken to teaching her four grandchildren how to cook and bake mostly simple and easy old German meals.
“What a blessing, they have their own plum trees,” Erna says. “I’m trying to teach each of (them), on an individual basis, the art of German cooking.”
Last week, she and her youngest grandson made “apfelkuecherl” (apple fritters) from their own apple tree.
To submit your photo, email a JPEG file to photos@pioneer.coop. Include “Before You Go” in the subject line. Please share a bit about what inspired you to make your photo. n
Erna’s youngest granddaughter, Kora Pearl, joins her in making “zwetschgenknoedel,” which is German for plum dumplings. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERNA HECKELE
This 8½-by-11-inch indexed cookbook features yeast breads, quick breads, scones and specialty breads for $10 (includes postage).
TO ORDER BY MAIL:
Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to:
Ruralite Cookbooks
P.O. Box 1306
North Plains, OR 97133
TO PAY BY PHONE:
Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
TO ORDER ONLINE: Visit www.ruralite.com. Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.
Whether you prefer your chili hot beyond belief or mild, with beans and/or meat, this booklet from our 2002 contest is for you. Recipes include stories from entrants. As a bonus, get slowcooker recipes from our 2000 contest. The 8½-by-11-inch indexed book is $8 (includes postage).
TO ORDER BY MAIL:
Submit payment with cookbook title, your name, address and number of cookbooks wanted to:
Ruralite Cookbooks
P.O. Box 1306
North Plains, OR 97133
TO PAY BY PHONE: Call 503-357-2105 for credit card payments with Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
TO ORDER ONLINE: Visit www.ruralite.com.
Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.
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Prosser Office
402 7th St. Prosser, WA 99350
509-786-2913
Mailing Address:
Report an Outage:
Contact the Office: Website:
West Richland Office
6095 W. Van Giesen St. West Richland, WA 99353
509-786-2913
P.O. Box 1150 Prosser, WA 99350
509-786-2913
509-786-2913 www.BentonREA.org
Bob Evans, President, District 3
Mike Freepons, Vice President, District 2
Dan Plung, District 1
Vacant Position, District 4
Tim Grow, District 5
Scott Fisher, District 6
Ted Wallace, District 7
Bill Shibley, District 8
NEW! Distric 9
The board of trustees meets the last Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m., unless otherwise scheduled.
The board agenda for the upcoming meeting is available to members upon request no earlier than six days prior to the board meeting. Minutes of prior board meetings are available to members upon request. To request board agendas or minutes, visit a Benton REA office, call 509-781-6719 or email priorityrequests@bentonrea.org.
Ryan J. Redmond, CEO
Troy L. Berglund, Deputy General Manager and VP of Member Experience
Andrew Gould, VP of Engineering and Operations
Justin Waldron, VP of Support Services/CFO
I want to first start by saying Happy New Year!
2024 was a big year for Benton REA. We enhanced our member experience department, installed a new, much needed phone system, finalized plans for our complex in West Richland, implemented and upgraded software to improve in-house efficiencies, and took an in-depth look at needed improvements to our electric system.
We also had the pleasure of seeing members out in the community at events such as National Night Out, our 87th Birthday pop-up, Voltage 2024-Benton REA’s Annual Meeting, and the Veteran’s Day Parade, just to name a few.
We are proud of the work we did in 2024, but we have even bigger plans for 2025. Here are a few of our top priorities as we move forward:
Resource Adequacy: Electricity use in the U.S. is expected to rise to record highs this year and next, with the demand for electricity expected to at least double by 2050. We must keep our finger on the pulse of regulatory issues that can affect how we meet the energy demands of our members. Collaboration with policymakers, industry leaders, and our members will be essential to overcoming these challenges.
Wildfire Mitigation: Benton REA’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan aims to protect public safety and preserve the reliable delivery of electricity, wildfire mitigation is a top priority. While an electric utility can never fully eliminate the risk of fire, Benton REA is committed to taking practical actions to reduce the devastation that a wildfire could bring to the people and communities we serve.
Electrical System Improvements: To provide reliable power to our members we must make upgrades to our electrical system. This isn’t a one and done project. System improvements are made over several years throughout our service territory and costs must be spread out. To prioritize our projects and create a budget – we first needed an in-depth look at the true health of our system, which we were able to accomplish in 2024. Now, we work on making those project plans come to fruition.
The successes of 2024 have set the stage for us to tackle the challenges ahead, from meeting rising energy demands to enhancing wildfire preparedness and strengthening our electric system. Together with our members, policymakers, and industry partners, we are poised to make meaningful progress while staying true to our cooperative values.
As we head into 2025, I want to wish each of our members a warm, healthy and happy year ahead. Cheers!
Ryan J. Redmond, CEO